About McCallum vs. Curry. Was Curry really dominating until that last punch?

I wouldn't say he was dominating that was commentary hyperbole IMO and perhaps some favoritism but no seasoned fans look at 4 rounds of a professional title fight that is competitive and put too much stock in early successes especially if one had followed McCallum unless it was clear that the talent and skill differential was too great which it wasn't....the thing to me was it appeared that Curry carried his skills and perhaps power up and for a few rounds a few things stood out #1 Curry belonged with the top tier #2 His making 147 had drained him. I followed the body snatchers career and knew his work was all about consistency and good execution that always seem to take its toll never flashy just consistent.

The thing with commentators is they are the salesman of boxing as much as the fighters if not more so....they pitch and over sale even the networks fighters sometimes to a fault...their commentary can make a bad fight almost entertaining by injecting energy into mediocrity

 

Well there is always a house fighter and the commentators go that way.

As for the bout, it was one of those lose the battles early but win the war fights for McCallum. He was not going to outspeed Curry early and he just needed to continue his bricklayer job and continue laying the bricks. He did and halfway through that 4th round you could see that tide turn. Then it would be up to Curry to adjust or to hang tough when he was losing the rounds.

Nice matchup though and one we seldom get or see anymore with the mindfield of world title belts. the loser of the bout takes a big step back and can easily cost them 18 months or longer to rebuild--if they are even capable.

 

Typical HBO announcing job and their call is always like 85-15 for the guy they are behind. Not much credit given until somehow as if it was a miracle---their guy goes down. They just never saw it coming like say Gil Clancy would.

McCallum took a better punch than Curry. I thought it'd be a factor in the fight at some point--the ability to absorb. But Curry did look sharp early but he kind of did against Nunn also. But once it hits round 4 or so, that parachute would open for Donald at those higher weights.

I still cannot believe that Arum was pushing for a Hagler bout for Curry. That would have been like when they fed Chacon to Mancini. I don't like the guys having that big of a mountain to climb and they get slaughtered.

 

I just watched it and i don't agree at all, yes the announcers kept building up and talking Curry, but he had it 3-1 McCallum and Gil Clancy just about even.

 

Donnald Curry vs Mike McCallum at JMW

McCallum 31-0 Curry only loss to Honeygan

Round 1 - 10-9 Curry - Curry, quicker faster, lander more punches, and the heavier better punches, excellent head movement and overall dancing around and away from McCallum causing him to miss many punches, Mike looked slow in the 1st round.
If you really know boxing, and I've watched in and particpated and trained in it since I was 10, you would give round 1 to Curry, I can see how some that don't know exactly what they are seeing like missed, blocked punches would give it to Mike, but Curry won round 1.
2 Judges 10-9 Curry 1 gave it to McCallum - don't know what fight he was watching.

Round 2 - 10-9 McCallum - McCallum outworked him by far this round, late in the round Curry landed a right hand that buckled Mike's knees but he snapped right out of it and starting landing again to clearly win the round, no one can give this round to Curry at all.
All Blind Judges gave round 2 to Donald CUrry, absolutely no way he won that round on 1 punch that buckeled Mike's knees late, again he came right back and landed many punches, those 3 judges were sipping the juice that round.

1-1 after 2 rounds.

Round 3 - EVEN - I thought this one was too close to call, they seem to keep matching each others punches and neither gained an advantage, if I had to pick one, I would say Mike landed a few more maybe and would have own it by a hair, but I'm calling it even.
2 judges for Curry 1 for McCallum, again if your not calling it even, I surely can give this round to CUrry but 2 did.
Curry started the round with his Left eye swelling by the end was getting worse.

1-1-1 after 3 rounds

Round 4 - 10-9 EVEN - Curry landed some flashy punches on and off during the round, McCallum was much busier with a good deal better inside fighting, very close round, do you give it to Mike for his busier inside work or Don for his flashier, big punches, I saw they offset each other, I hate to do even rounds but can't help it.
2 Judges for Curry - 1 for McCallum.
They seem to be ignoring McCallums better inisde work and what appears to me to be throwing and landing many more punches.
1-1-2 after 4 rounds, but definitely Curry was not Dominating, now if your looking back and going by Judges scorecards, I can see how it looks that way, but it's not.

Round 5 - Curry comes out looking very good, still quick and fast, better head movement this round than the last couple, landing some good punches, easily winning for nearly the 1st minute, then Curry lands a solid Left hook that you can hear Pop as it hit's McCallum's Chin, I played it in slow motion, solid punch by CUrry that turned Mike's head as it landed, but Mike just shrugs it off and follows right up with his own Left Hook that knocks Curry flat on his back and he hardly even moved until the count reach about 7 or 8 then tried to get up but he was done.

I scored it 1-1-2 Judges had it all wrong, Curry way ahead and Dominating which was clearly all wrong, Gil Clancy had it fairly even as I did, and the announcer had it McCallum 3-1.

Even if I give each guy 1 of the even rounds, it's still 2-2 in my book, very even, close fight until that left hook, but Curry was looking good, but I agreed with Gil and the announcer, he was not the CUrry of old before the Honeygan fight.